Mechanism for feeding yarn in circular weft knitting machines



Aug. 31, 1948. s oRT 2,448,498

MECHANISM FOR FEEDING YARN IN CIRCULAR WEFT KNITTING MACHINES Filed Dec. 14, 1945 N 5 Sheets-Sheet} P 1948. A. SHORTLAND I MECHANISM FOR FEEDING YARN IN CIRCULAR WEFT KNITTING MACHINES 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 14, 1945 WZt/m/eZo/ I Aug. 31, 1948. A. SHORTLAND 2,443,498

MECHANISM FOR FEEDING YARN IN CIRCULAR WEFT KNITTING MACHINES Filed Dec. 14, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 ilin we I A. SHORTLAND MECHANISM FOR FEEDING YARN IN CIRCULAR Aug. 31, 1948.

' WEE-T KNITTING MACHINES Flled Dec. 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Aug. 31, 1948. A. SHORTLAND 2,443,493

MECHANISM FOR FEEDING YARN IN CIRCULAR I WEFT KNITTING MACHINES Filed Dec. 14, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Attorney Patented Aug. 31, 1948 MECHANISM FOR FEEDING YARN IN CIR- CULAR WEFT KNITTING MACHINES Arthur Shortland, Leicester, England, assignor to Mellor Bromley & Co. Limited, Leicester, England, a. British company Application December 14, 1945, Serial No. 635,026

In Great Britain December 19, 1944 19 Claims.

1 This invention relates to mechanism for feeding yarn to the needles of circular weft knitting machines of the type furnished with independent needles and sinkers or web holders, the expresway of example, #with reference to the accom panying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a side view of the said yarn feeding mechanism, including the timing gear prosion yarn being used generically as including vided for timing the movements of the yarn guide yarns or threads of any kind which may be used and also controlling the operation of the trapper for the purpose intended. in relation to these movements,

The invention comprises improved yarn feed- Figure 2 is a further view of the said mechaing mechanism for application to circular knitnism and timing gear as seen in the direction of ting machines of the type aforesaid with inside the arrow A in Figure 1 and with the gear casing sinkers or web holders with the object of achievshown in section, ing certain advantageous results not only as re- Figure 3 illustrates one form of the means emgards introduction and withdrawal of a yarn at ployed for operating and controlling the yarn definite needles but also when a plurality of yarns feeding mechanism, are supplied together as in splicing and plating, Figure 4 is a detail view similar to the lower or interchangeably as in the production of stripportion of Figure 3 depicting an alternative form ing effects. of operating cam,

The invention is intended for application pri- Figure 5 is a detail plan View of a portion of marily to circular knitting mechines with double the sinker ring or brass of the machine, showing axially opposed, e. g. superimposed, needle cylthe holding-down sinkers or web holders proinders and double-ended needles operable by jected radiallywith one of them projecting furmeans of sliders, and inside holding-down sinkers ther than the remainder for the purpose hereinor web holders. before mentioned,

The improved mechanism may be adapted to Figure 6 is a detail perspective View of the supply simply a single yarn for as long as may same, be required, or to supply a yarn in addition to, Figure 7 is a transverse sectional view taken or instead of, a main yarn, as, for example, to on the line VII-VII of Figure 5 including 'also produce spliced or plated areas, or reinforced the associatedsinker cam rings, areas, .or/ and elastic areas (by means of a rub- Figure 8 is a developed view of so much of the her yarn), or to increase the rate of production knitting cam system of the machine, shown in of knitted fabric, or/and to supply a plurality of relation to a few of the needles and sinkers or contrasting, e. g. differently coloured, yarns interweb holders, as is necessary to an understanding changeably for producing striping or analogous of the invention, effects in knitted fabric or articles, according to Figure 9 is a side View of the yarn guide and r quirements. the trapper shown in relation to a needle and a The yarn feeding mechanism according to the sinker and with the yarn cut and trapped prior invention comprises, in its simplest form, a movto being presented to a sinker or web holder, able yarn guide and an associated yarn trapper, Figure 10 is a corresponding detail tran verse and is adapted to operate so that a length of a sectional view of the yarn guide and the trapper yarn held between the guide and the trapper is as seen from outside the needle cylinders, and initially positioned so as to extend from front to Figures 11 and 12, 13 and 14, 15 and 16 are back of a circular series of sinkers or web holdviews respectively similar to Figures 9 and 10 61's suchwise as to be engaged by a sinker or web showing successive stages in the operation of the holder to effect introduction of the yarn to the mechanism as will be hereinafter described. needles. The mechanism is, of course, adapted to Like parts are designated by similar reference discontinue feeding a yarn to the needles, 'by recharacters throughout the drawings. version to its original position, during which In the drawings the needles of the machine movement the running yarn is trapped and sevare indicated at l and the co-operating inside erecl so that another length is held in readiness holding-down sinkers or web holders at 2. for the next introduction. 60 The yarn feeding attachment shown in Fig- A constructional form of the improved yarn ures 1 and 2 comprises a yarn guide 3 slidably feeding mechanism applicable to a circular knitmounted in a swivel 4 carried by a bracket 5 atting machine of the superimposed rotary needle tached to the underside of the top plate '5 of the cylinder typ'e equipped with inside holding-down machine, with the guide 3 connected to a pin 1 sinkers or web holders will now be described, by

in a crank B, and a trapper 'I' with a fixed jaw 9 and movable jaw ill. The trap-per, which is also formed as a cutter, is fixed on the bracket 5 by means of screws lit. The jaws of the trapper T are of blade-like form and yieldingly held together by a compression spring E 2 (Figure 2) suitably arranged. The operative end of thefixed jaw 9 is recessed at 9a to receive a yarn when withdrawn from knitting.

The bracket 3 is in the form of a casing, complete with cover 5a, adapted to house timing gear for operating the crank 8 and the movable jaw H] of the trapper T. This gear includes a set of rotary timing cams mounted upon an axle l3 and adapted to be turned as the result of rotation in the appropriate direction of a pinion M through the medium of ratchet teethsuch as Mia of a clutch device (see Figure 2). The saidpinion, which is suitably spring controlled and mounted on a spindle I4 is arranged in mesh with a vertically disposed toothed rod or rack Hi. This rod is slida-bly arranged within a tubular extension 511) of the casing 5 in which it is guided by a'pin I 6 working in'a slot I? formed in the wall of the said extension.

Secured to the axle i3 is a so-called feeder cam I8- for swinging the operative end of the yarn guide 3 downwards at appropriate-times. A feeder counter cam IQ for moving the yarn guide in the reverse direction is attached to the side of the feeder cam 18. Suitably associated with the cam I8 so as to rotate therewith is a trapper cam 20 for moving the jaw it of .the trapper suchwise as to sever and trap a yarn. For moving the jaw I in the reverse direction to open the trapper, a counter trapper cam portion 2! is attached by means of screws to the outer side of the cam 263. If desired, and as shown in Figure 1, the trapper cam 20, together with the attached countercam portion 2|, may be made adjustable angularly with respect to the feeder earn it, for which purpose the said trapper cam is formed with arcuate slots 20a through which are passed small set screws 22. In any event, the crank 8 is provided on the outer end of a spindle 23 to which is secured a pinion 24 (see Figure 2) arranged in mesh with a toothed quadrant 25. As will be seen more clearly in Figure 1, the quadrant 25 is constituted by an integral extension of a lever 26 which is pivoted at 21 and adapted to be actuated by the cams l3 and i9. For this purpose there is at tached to the inner side of the said lever, at one side of thepivot 2?, a nose-like element 28 arranged for contact with the feeder cam l8 whilst the freeend 25a of the lever atthe opposite side of the. pivotis shaped somewhat similarly to the element- 28 for contact with the feeder counter cam 19; For'actuating the movable jaw ill of the trapper-T there is provided another lever 29 which is pivoted at 30 (Figure 1) and formed at 2% for engagement with the tail'end of the movable jaw. This trapper-actuating lever 29' is formed witharms 29b and 290 disposed in dilferent planes and at opposite sides of the pivot 39 for contact withthemtrapper cam 28 andthe countertrapper cam 2 I respectively. The construction so far described is therefore such that by depressing the toothed. rod I'the timing cams are turned for a partial revolution (preferably through 180 or thereabouts) as a consequence of which the yarn guide 3 is swung up and: down as well as being alternately advanced and retracted radially, while the trapper is opened and closed. Whenever the rod I5- is raised the timing cams remain stationary by reason of' the action of the saw clutch teeth Mazonthe pinion it. Thus, theyarn guide and the movable trapper jaw are actuated in appropriate timed relation from the timing gear which is in turn adapted to [be controlled from a cam rotating either in unison with or in suitable timed relation with respect to, the rotary needlecylinders 3| and 32 of the machine.

Thus, in the particular control arrangement depicted in Figure 3, the upper end of the toothed rod l5 projects up through the top of the gear casing 5 and is forked at 15a for connection to the outer end of a pivoted operating lever 33. This lever is connected by means of a link or rod 3.4-with a control-lever 35 arranged with its operative' end incontact with a rotary control cam 35.

Figure 4 illustrates an alternative form of controlcam 36 secured upon a horizontally disposed ring, 31 adapted to be racked as desired.

The mechanism is applied to the machine suchwisethat normally the eye or throat 3a of the guide 3 and the jaws -9 and iii of the trapper T are located-above the nibs 2a of the holding-down sinkers. or web holders 2, where the latter are projected. as shown in Figures 9 and 10, with the guide withdrawn so thatv the eye or throat 3a is further away radially from the sinkers or web holders thanthe jaws of the trapper. Thus when the guide 3 is threaded with a yarn y and'the leading end of the yarn is engaged with the trapper T, a-short length y of the yarn extends outwardsfrom the sinkers or web holders 2, horizontally, or substantially so, above the nibs 2a thereof. When the timing gear is operated to initiate feeding of the yarn y to the needles I, the operative end 3a of of the guide 3 is first swung'downwards from its position above the sinkers'or web holders 2 to a position below them thereby increasing the length of yarn between it and the trapper and disposing this length vertically, or substantially so, as indicated at g in Figures 11 and 12, for engagement with the next following sinker or'web holder 2 and introduction of the .yarn to the needles descending at the yarn feeding location, then the guide 3 is swung upwards so that its' eye or throat 3a is located above the'sinkers or webhold'ers 2, and somewhat above the trapper T. to .continue'feeding the yarn to the needles asshown in Figures 13 and 14. When the yarn is takenby the needles it may be pulled out of the. trapper or the latter may be opened by the timing-gear to release the yarn. To discontinue feeding the' yarn y, the timing gear is operated so as to withdraw the guide 3 radially from the sinkers or-web' holders 2 and lower it somewhat so that the yarn is located between the then open jaws of the trapper T (Figures 15 and 16) whereupon the trapper is operated to sever and trap the yarn (see'Figure 9).

By reason of the circular movement of the sinkers' or web holders 2 in relation to the yarn guide 3 the length y of yarn engaged by a sinker or web holder. 2 as aforesaid is folded or looped, and the upper portion of the fold or loop between thesinkeror web holder and the trapper is ultimately engaged by the needle following the sinker or web holder while the lower portion of the fold or p extends below the nibs of the following sinkers or'web holders-back to the guide until the latter isswung upwards and the yarn leaves the trapper,- whereafter the yarn extends directly from the guide to the needles. A feeder plate 38, with a..yarn receiving notch 38a therein, is provided between the yarn feeding mechanism and the needles' l so that the feeding yarn is located in-.the-notch-when the guide occupies the feeding position. shown. in Figures 13 and 14.

The length y of yarn held between the guide 3 and the trapper T (Figure 11) can properly be said to extend from front to back of the sinkers or web holders, since by the front of a sinker of this character is usually meant the uppermost or outermost edge thereof defining the nib 2a, the throat and the belly, whereas the back means the opposed underside or inner edge of the sinker.

The proximity of the guide 3 and the trapper T to the sinkers or web holders 2 may be such that when the guide is swung downwards'the length of yarn g is located between two normally projected sinkers or web holders, but if desired for further certainty of action, a sinker or web holder differentiated from the others, may be substituted for one of the ordinary sinkers, or a sinker modified as regards its butt formation may be provided and the sinker cam system ma be modified so that this particular sinker projects further than the remainder when moved outwards, so that the position of the guide and trapper need not be so critical. Thus in the specific example illustrated, the particular sinker or web holder 2 which engages the length 1/ of yarn is differentiated from the others so as to project further than the remainder as shown clearly in Figures 5, 6 and 7. In these figures the sinker ring which is of conventional form, is indicated at 39 whilst in Figure 1 are also shown the associated upper and lower sinker cam rings 40 and 41 respectively.

In Figure 8 are depicted in diagrammatic fashion a few of the needles I and the sinkers or web holders 2 in the region of the knitting location KL. The knitting butts of the needle actuating sliders are indicated at 42, and at 43 is shown the stitch cam for forward knitting in the direction of the arrow B. The line SR represents the top of the sinker ring, and, for clarity, the operative ends of sinkers or web holders 2 are laid out fiat in the plane of the needles, i. e. at right angles to the plane in which they are actuall located. As is customary, the wave SW of outwardly projected sinkers or web holders 2 is in advance of the needle wave NW; the specially projected sinker 2 is shown at the centre of the wave SW. Where, as in the illustrated example the needles I are of the latch type, a slider such as that indicated at 44 with a butt 45 diifering, e. g. longer than, the corresponding butts of the remaining sliders may be incorporated in the needle cylinder 3! for action thereupon b a cam 48 designed to efiect a premature lowering of the corresponding needle I so that the portion of yarn extending between the specially projected sinker or web holder 2 and the trapper is located between the hook and the latch of the said needle further to ensure initial engagement of the yarn with the needle. If desired, two or more needles may be prematurely lowered in this way.

In the application of the invention to a circular knitting machine without sliders, the different butt or butts would be provided on the appropriate needles.

For yarn changing purposes two or more guides are provided, operable by appropriate timing gear in conjunction with individual trapping and severing units, or a common trapping and severing unit, and the guides are preferably formed so as to converge upon a common yarn feeding location, e. g. the notch in the aforesaid feeder plate.

The improved yarn feeding mechanism may be applied to circular knitting machines of the stationary needle cylinder type as well as to machines of the rotary needle cylinder type, and as will be understood, in the former case engagement of an ingoing yarn with the needles will be effected by virtue of circular movement of the feeding mechanism in relation to the sinkers or web holders.

The invention may also be applied to circular knitting machines with bearded needles.

By appropriate timing the mechanism may be adapted to feed a yarn or yarns for partial courses as well as for complete courses of knitting. I

It is considered that with the improved yarn feeding mechanism the appearance of loose ends and bulky joins in the fabric when yarns are supplied interchangeably or intermittently will be avoided as far as possible and that so far as plating and splicing are concerned clearly defined plated or spliced areas will be produced in the knitted fabric.

What I claim then is:

1. In a circular weft knitting machine, in combination, at least one needle cylinder, a set of independent needles for operation in said cylinder, a circular series of sinkers arranged to co-operate with the needles when knitting, and mechanism for feeding yarn to the needles, said mechanism comprising a movable yarn guide, an associated trapper, and means for operating the said guide and the trapper in timed relation suchwise that when the mechanism is rendered operative a length of yarn held between the guide and the trapper is initially positioned so as'to extend from front to back of the sinkers and to be engaged by a sinker to effect introduction of the yarn to the needles.

2. In a circular weft knitting machine, in combination, at least one needle cylinder, a set of independent needles for operation in said cylinder, a circular series of sinkers arranged to co-operate with the needles when knitting, and mechanism for feeding yarn to the needles, said mechanism comprising a movable yarn guide, an associated trapper, and means for operating the said guide and the trapper in timed relation suchwise that when the mechanism is rendered operative a length of yarn held between the guide and the trapper is initially positioned so as to extend from front to back of the sinkers and to be engaged by a sinker to effect introduction of the yarn to the needles whereafter, to discontinue feeding the yarn' to the needles the mechanism reverts to its original position, during which movement the running yarn is trapped and severed so that another length is held in readiness for the next introduction.

3. In a, circular weft knitting machine, in combination, at least one needle cylinder, a set of independent needles for operation in said cylinder, a circular series of sinkers arranged to cooperate with the needles when knitting, a stitch cam for imparting stitch forming movements to the needles, means for actuating the sinkers and so timing them in relation to the said stitch forming movements that the sinkers are projected radially in advance of the stitch cam so that the needles draw loops over the projected sinkers, and beyond the stitch cam the sinkers are retracted to hold the newly formed stitches while the needles are cleared and mechanism for feeding yarn to the needles, said mechanism comprising a movable yarn guide, an associated trapper and means for operating the said guide and the trapper in timed relation suchwise that when the mechanism is rendered operative a length of yarn held between the guide and the trapper is initially P sitioned so as to extend from front to back of 1 so timing them in relation to the said stitch.

forming. movements .that the =sinkers are projected radially-in advance of; the stitch-camrso that the needleswdraw'loopsover the projectedqsinkers,

and beyond-"thestitch-camthe sinkers are retractedatohold the newly; formed :stitches 1 while theneedlesare cleared, one ofthesinkers being.

adapted, .whenprojected; to project further than the remainder, and mechanism for feedingyarn to the needles, said mechanism comprising a movable yarn guide, an associated'trapper, and means for:operating.;-;the said guide and the trapper in timed-relation suchwise that when themechanisrrrris-rendered operative a length of yarn; held between the guide andthetrapper "is initially positioned-so asto: extend from front-to'back ofthesinkBrsand tobe caught by the specially pro- J'ected-asinker to effect: introduction of the. yarn to-th'e needles.

5. In:a circular weft knitting; machine-in com-- binatiom at least one need-1e cylinder, aset of independent needles .for operation.- inysaid: cylindery a circular-series of sinkers arranged to cooperate with: the needles when knitting, a stitch cam for imparting stitch forming movements-to comprising a movable-yarnguide; an associated trapper fixed in: 1 front of the V series of sinkers, means for opening and' closin the said trapper at appropriate times; and means for moving the yarnrguidexfrom front to back of the sinkers in the-regionror outward projection thereof, and vice versa, timed-relation withthe operation of the trapper, the construction andarrangement of the; said mechanism being such that when the yarn guide ismoved to the back of thesinkers a length of yarn held between the said'guide and the'trapper is: increased and presented toa projected. sinker to effect introduction of the yarn to the-needles;

6-: In a circular weft knitting machine in combination; at least one needle; cylinder, asetof independent needles for operation in said cylinder,- a.circular series of. sin-kers arranged to cooperate with the-needles when knitting, astitch camdOrdmpa-rtingstitch forming movements to the; needles, means; for actuating the sinkers and sootiming them, inrelation-to: the said stitch formingv movements that the sinkersv are-Projected radiallyoutwards in advance of the stitch cam so-that the needlesdraw loops over the projected sinkers; and: -beyondthe stitch camthe sinkers areretracted to hold the --newly' formed: stitches while; the: needles arecleared, and mechanism forfeeding yarn to the-needles, said mechanism comprising: a movable-yarn: guide, an; associated trapper-:fixed..-in: front .of the'series of. sinkers,

means 1' for. opening.- and rclosingthe, saidztrapper,

at: appropriate'times, and means; -f'or moving; the yarn guide from front to back of the sinkers in the region of outward projection thereof, and vice versa, in timed relation with the operation of the trapper, the construction and arrangement of the said mechanism being such that when-the yarn guide is moved to the backof the sinkers; a length of yarn held between the said guide and. the trapper is increased and presented to a pro-- jected sinker to effect introduction of the yarn to the needles, whereafter the yarn guide reverts to a position in front of the sinkers to continue.

feeding the yarn to the needles.

'7. In a circular weft knitting machine, in com.- bination, at least one needle cylinder, a set of independent needles for operation in said cylinder, a circular series of sinkers arranged to cooperate with the needles when knitting, a stitchcam for imparting stitch forming movementsztoi the needles, means for actuating the sinkers and so timing them in relation to the said stitch forming movements that the sinkersare projected radially outwards in advance of the'stitch cam so that the needles draw loops over the projected sinkers,.and beyond the stitch cam the sinkers are retracted to hold the newlyformed stitches while the needles are cleared, and mechanismi for feedin yarn to the needles,- said. mechanism.

comprising a movable yarn guide, an associated trapper fixed in front of the series of sinkers, means for opening and closing the said trapper at appropriate times, and means for moving the:

yarn guide from front to back of the sinkers in the region of outwardprojection'thereof, and

vice-versa, in timed relation with the: operation of the trapper, the construction and arrangement of the said mechanism being such that when the yarn guide is moved to the back of the sinkers a length of yarn held between the said guide and the trapper is increased and presented to aprojected sinker to effect introduction of the yarn to the needles, and. for'withdrawing the yarn from the needles the yarn guide is retracted radially from the sinkers and the trapperis opened; so

that the yarn is located therein whereupon the trapper is. closed and the yarn is severed.

8.. In a circular weftknitting; machine; in combination, at least one needle cylinder, a. set of in-,--

dependent needles for operationin said cylinder;

a circular series of sinkers arranged to co-operrate with the needles when knitting, a stitch camfor. imparting stitch forming movements to-the needles, means for actuating the sinkers and so timing them inrelation to the said stitch formingmovements that the sinkers are projected radially outwards in advance of the stitch cam so that the needles draw loops over the projected sinkers, and beyond the stitch cam the sinkers are retracted to hold the newly formed stitches.

whilethe needles. are cleared, and mechanism for feeding-yarn totheneedles, said mechanism com prising a movable yarn guide, an associated trap-.

per fixed in front of the series of sinkers, means for-opening and. closing. the said trapper at. ap-

propriate times, and. means for moving theyarn: guide from front to back of the sinkers in the reneedles', whereafter the. yarnguide. revertsto a.

position in front of the sinkers to continue feeding the yarn to the needles, and for withdrawing the yarn from the needles the yarn guide is retracted radially from the sinkers and the trapper is opened so that the yarn is located therein whereupon the trapper is closed and the yarn is severed.

9. A combination according to claim 2, wherein the trapper is formed with cutting edges so that severance of the yarn is effected by the closin of the trapper.

10. In a circular weft knitting machine, in combination, at least one needle cylinder, a set of independent needles for operation in said cylinder, a circular series of sinkers arranged to'cooperate with the needles when knitting, a stitch cam for imparting stitch forming movements to the needles, means for actuating the sinkers and so timing them in relation to the said stitch forming movements that the sinkers are projected radially outwards in advance of the stitch cam so that the needles draw loops over the rojected sinkers, and beyond the stitch cam the sinkers are retracted to hold the newly formed stitches while the needles are cleared, and mechanism for feeding yarn to the needles, said mechanism comprising a yarn guide pivotally and slidably arranged in relation to a trapper fixed in front of the series of sinkers, means for opening and closing the said trapper at appropriate times, and means for actuating the yarn guide so that its operative end describes an arc in moving from front to back of the sinkers in the region of outward projection thereof, and vice versa, in timed relation with the operation of the trapper, the construction and arrangement of the said mechanism being such that when the yarn guide is moved to the back of the sinkers a length of yarn held between the said guide and the trapper is increased and presented to a projected sinker to effect introduction of the yarn to the needles, and for withdrawing the yarn from the needles the yarn guide is retracted linearly from the sinkers and the trapper is opened so that the yarn is located therein whereupon the trapper is closed and the yarn is severed.

11. In a circular weft knitting machine, in combination, at least one needle cylinder, a set of independent needles for operation in said cylinder, a circular series of sinkers arranged to cooperate with the needles when knitting, and mechanism for feeding yarn to the needles, said mechanism comprising a movable yarn guide, an associated trapper and cam and crank means for operating the said guide and the trapper in timed relation suchwise that when the mechanism is rendered operative a length of yarn held between the guide and the trapper is initially positioned so as to extend from front to back of the sinkers and to be engaged by a sinker to effect introduction of the yarn to the needles.

12. In a circular weft knitting machine, in combination, at least one rotary needle cylinder, a set of independent needles for operation in said cylinder, a circular series of inside holding-down sinkers arranged to co-operate with the needles when knitting, and mechanism for feeding yarn to the needles, said mechanism comprising a bracket, a swivel carried by said bracket, a yarn guide slidably mounted in the swivel, a crank furnished with a pin to which the said guide is connected, a trapper having a fixed jaw and a movable jaw and also formed as a cutter fixed on the aforesaid bracket, timing gear for operating the crank and the movable jaw of the trapper in suitable timed relation, and driven means for controlling the said timing gear suchwise that when the mechanism is rendered operative a length of yarn held between the guide and the trapper is initially positioned so as to extend from front to back of the sinkers and to be engaged by a sinker to effect introduction of the yarn to the needles.

l3. Ina circular weft knitting machine, in combination, at least one rotary needle cylinder, a set of independent needles for operation in said cylinder, a circular series of inside holding-down sinkers arranged to co-operate with the needles when knitting, a stitch cam for imparting stitch forming movements to the needles, means for actuating the sinkers and so timing them in relation to the said stitch forming movements that the sinkers are projected radially in advance of the stitch cam so that the needles draw loops over the projected sinkers, and beyond the stitch cam the sinkers are retracted to hold the newly formed stitches while the needles are cleared, the mechanism being applied to the machine suchwise that normally the eye of the yarn guide and the jaws of the trapper are located above the nibs of the holding-down sinkers, where the latter are projected', with the guide withdrawn so that the eye is further away radially from the sinkers than the jaws of the trapper whereby when the guide is threaded with a yarn and the leading end of the yarn is engaged with the trapper, a short length of the yarn extends outwards from the sinkers, substantially horizontally, above the nibs thereof, whereby when the timing gear is operated to initiate feeding of the yarn to the needles the operative end of the guide is first swung downwards from its position above the sinkers to a position below them, thereby increasing the length of yarn between it and the trapper and disposing this length substantially vertically for engagement with a projected sinker and consequent introduction of the yarn to the needles descending at the yarn feeding location, then the yarn guide is swung upwards so that its eye is located above the sinkers and somewhat above the trapper to continue feeding the yarn to the needles.

14. In a circular weft knitting machine, in combination, at least one rotary needle cylinder, a set of independent needles for operation in said cylinder, a circular series of inside holding-down sinkers arranged to co-operate with the needles when knitting, a stitch cam for imparting stitch forming movements to the needles, means for actuating the sinkers and so timing them in rela tion to the said stitch forming movements that the sinkers are projected radially in advance of the stitch cam so that the needles draw loops over the projected sinkers, and beyond the stitch c'am the sinkers are retracted to hold the newly formed stitches while the needles are cleared, the mechanism being applied to the machine suchwise that normally the eye of the yarn guide and the jaws of the trapper are located above the nibs of the holding-down sinkers, where the latter are projected, with the guide withdraw-n so that the eye is further away radially from the sinkers than the jaws of the trapper whereby when the guide is threaded with a yarn and the leading end of the yarn is engaged with the trapper, a short length of the yarn extends outwards from the sinkers, substantially horizontally, above the nibs thereof, whereby when the timing gear is operated to initiate feeding of he yarn to the needles the operative end of the guide is first swung downwards from its position above the sinkers to "a position below them, thereby increasing the length of yarn between it and the'trapper and disposing this'length substantially vertically for engagement with a projected sinker and conse- 'c'juent introduction of the yarn to the needles descending at the yarn feeding location, then the "yarn guide is swung upwards so that its eyeis located above the sinkers and somewhat above the trapper to continue feeding the yarn to the needles, whereafter to discontinue feeding the latter is operated-tosever and trap the yarn.

=15. In 'a circular -we'ft knitting machine, in

co'mbination, at least one needle cylinder, a set f independent latch needles for operationin said cylinder, a circular series of sinkers arranged to co-operate with the needles when knit- :ting, :a stitch cam for imparting stitch forming movements to the needles, means for actuating th'e sinkers and so timing them in relation to "the said stitch formingmovements that the sinkersare projected radially in advance of the stitch cam so that the needles draw loops over the projected 'sinkers, and beyond the stitch cam the sinkers are retracted to 'hold the newly formed stitches while the needles are cleared and mechanism for feeding yarn to the needles, said mechanism comprising a movable yarn guide, an associated trapper, means foroperating the said'guide and the trapper in timed relation suchwise that when the mechanism is rendered operative a length of yarn held between the guide and the trapper is initially positioned'so as to extend from front to back of the sinkersand to be caught by a projected sinker to effect introduction of the yarn to the needles, and a cam for prematurely lowering at least one needle at the yarn feeding location so that the portion of yarn extending between the engaging sinker and the trapper is located between the hook and the latch of the said needle further to ensure initialengagement of-the yarn with theneedles.

16. For application to a circular weft knitting machine, a yarn feeding attachment comprising, in combination, a bracket, a swivel carried by said bracket, a yarn guide slidably mounted in the swivel, a crank furnished with a pin to which the said guide is connected, a trapper fixed to said bracket, said trapper having a fixed jaw and a movable jaw and beingalso formed as a cutter, and timing gear for operating the crank and the movable trapper jaw in suitable timed relation.

17. For application to a circular weft knitting machine, a yarn feeding attachment comprising, in combination, a bracket, a swivel carried by said bracket, a yarn guide slidably mounted in the swivel, a crank furnished with 'a pin to which the said guide is connected, a trapper :fixedito said bracket, said trapper having a fixedjaw and :a movable .jaw and being also formed asa cutter, rotary cams :for 'actuatingthe ,yarn guide by swinging it first in one direction and then in the other, associated rotary cams for moving the aforesaid'movable jaw back and forth to open and close the trapper in timed relation with the movements of the yarn guide, connections through which the rotary timing cams are adapted to be controlled, and levers actuated by the said cams for transmittingthe required n'iovem'ents to the crank'and the movable trap- .per jaw respectively.

18. For application to a circular weft knitting machine, a yarn feeding'attachment comprising,

in combination, a bracket, a swivel carried by said bracketya-yarn guide slidably mounted in the swivel, a crank furnishedwith apin to which the said guide is connected, a trapper 'fixed'tosaid bracket, said trapper having a fixed jaw and a movable jaw and being also formed-asa cutter, a set-of rotary cams for timing the movements of the yarn guide and the movable trapper jaw, rack and pinion gear through which the angular movements of the timing cams are adapted to be controlled, a pinion connected with the aforesaid crank, a pivoted lever adapted tobeactuated by the appropriate timing cams and formed with a toothed quadrant arranged -in mesh with the said pinion, and a further pivoted lever which is engaged with the movable trapper jaw and adapted to be actuated by the remaining timing cams.

19. For application to a circular weft knitting machine, a yarn feeding attachment comprising, in combination, a bracket, a yarn guide pivotally and slidably arranged on said bracket, 'a trapper fixed to said bracket, said trapper having a fixed jaw and a movable jaw and-being also formed as a cutter, timing gear for operating the yarn guide and the movable trapper vjaw in suitable timed relation, and means for controlling the operation of the timing-gear according to requirements. 1

ARTHUR SHOR'I 'LAND.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are'of record-in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,023;633 Bentley Dec. 10, :1935 2,377,729 Toone June "5, ,1945

"FOREIGN PATENTS "Number Name a Date 226,641 Great Britain Jan, :1, 1925 

